Recruiting updates for a few stars out of Virginia

Time for more interviews! First up is the 16th ranked player in the state Joshua Clark. The playmaker wide receiver/Devin Hester 2.0 stopped by to update us on his offseason and his recruiting visits:   [player_tooltip player_id='1680749' first='Carl' last='Frederick']: Give us an update on what your off-season training has been like thus far?   [player_tooltip player_id='363120' first='Joshua' last='Clarke']: My off-season training was been going great. My schedule consists of morning workouts, track practice after school and weight training 3 days a week.     CF: Tell us more what it's like to play your schedule, how hard is the travel across the DMV, does it take a toll on you?   JC:  My schedule is great. Most schools in our conference are close. We do play a few schools that are over an hour away. But it's not a problem. I'm about 20 mins from school which makes morning workouts good. My weight training is 10 minutes from campus, which is also easy to get to.  So, traveling around the DMV is not an issue at all.     CF: You are receiving a lot of interest from schools throughout the country, any update on your preferences or a top 5?   JC:  I am receiving interest from schools in most of the power 5 conferences. I hold offers from schools in the ACC, BIG 10, BIG 12 and getting calls from a few in the SEC and PAC 12. I have not made my top 5 yet. I will be making it very soon.      CF: Any player on your squad or conference we should be keeping an eye on?   JC:  We have a few guys on my team that you should be keeping an eye on.    [player_tooltip player_id='183459' first='Andrew' last='King']   [player_tooltip player_id='363174' first='Brooks' last='Martin']   Victor McNeal    Ty Harris   [player_tooltip player_id='1228857' first='Bryce' last='Stewart']   Manoli karageogos    Julian amankwah   The list could go on and on.    CF: Give our audience a fun fact about [player_tooltip player_id='363120' first='Joshua' last='Clarke']?   JC: One fun fact about me is that I love music. I love to rap. Me and some of team mates have dropped a few raps that are bangers!!!     Next we had West Springfield Defensive star [player_tooltip player_id='383256' first='Brady' last='Echols']. We profiled Echols a few weeks ago, if you don't know about this kid you better start to soon. Echols is a mult-sport star check out what he had to say below:    [player_tooltip player_id='1680749' first='Carl' last='Frederick']: Update us on your off-season training you gearing up for Outdoor track and field?    [player_tooltip player_id='383256' first='Brady' last='Echols']: My off-season has been busy. I started winter track right after the football season ended throwing the shot put. I have qualified for this week's State Championships and the Indoor Nationals held in mid-March. Along with shot put, I've been going to the football team morning workouts where I've been working on OL/DL drills and hitting the weight room. In my off time I get to the field and work on my speed and agility with a weighted vest.   CF:  How do you handle being a multi-sport athlete, do you feel any added pressure in either football or track & field?   BE: Being a multi-sport athlete makes for a busy schedule but doesn't put much pressure on me. If I go out and perform the way I should, everything runs smoothly. I have my ups and downs, but that's a time when I focus on the fundamentals and get better at both sports. I get to the weight room everyday with shot put, which helps me get the strength and size I need for football. Both sports work hand in hand for me.    CF:  Give us an update on how your visits have been going, you are gaining a lot of positive momentum.   BE: Visits have been going well so far. I've got a few Junior days lined up in the next few months and I'm really looking forward to them. Several FCS schools have reached out and I'm keeping the communication lines open to all schools so far. I'm looking to gain some more momentum as the spring arrives and I head into the summer camp season.     CF: Is there one opponent you have circle every year as a rival to West Springfield? I am talking what school brings out the rivalry the best in your conference?   BE: Our district is loaded with talented teams.  Over the last couple of years South County, Lake Braddock, and Robinson are close games that determine who is at the top of the conference at the end of the season. South County has been the hardest to overcome lately, but we're working hard this off season to turn that around this year.     CF: Final question what is a fun fact or something our audience does not know about [player_tooltip player_id='383256' first='Brady' last='Echols']?   BE: A fun fact about me is when I was 8, I was the Arizona State Shot Put Champion. It's something I always think about and carry with me wherever I go.   Next up we spoke with Unity Reed all conference receiver [player_tooltip player_id='354511' first='Domingo' last='Meade']. Meade is another player ranked in our top 100 and his star is rising. He talked about the momentum his college recruiting is going below:   [player_tooltip player_id='1680749' first='Carl' last='Frederick']: Give us an update on what your off-season training has been like thus far?   [player_tooltip player_id='354511' first='Domingo' last='Meade']: Intense. working 5 days out of the week consisting of 7v7, lifting at c4 explosive training shout out to coach Austin Brown (AB),and field explosive work with coach amir badi (badi fitness) shoutout to him too.   CF: What does Unity Reed need to do in order to take the next steps in the playoffs?   DM: UR just needs to open the playbook a little more and they will be fine in the playoffs. I will be transferring to Virginia Academy next year. So, I wish my guys and coaches luck on the upcoming season and post season.   CF:  You are receiving a lot of interest from schools throughout the country, any update on your preferences or a top 5?   DM: Columbia, Brown, Lafayette, Monmouth, Lehigh, South Dakota 4. Any player on your squad or district we should be keeping an eye on? [player_tooltip player_id='358211' first='Marcus' last='Ferguson'] 2025 ATH from unity reed, Caleb Finley 2026 DT from unity reed, Drew Hube 2024 Wr from patriot, Brandon Binkowski 2024 wr from battlefield,   CF:  Give our audience a fun fact about [player_tooltip player_id='354511' first='Domingo' last='Meade']?   DM: A fun fact about me is a lot of people don't know that I'm half Dominican.   Final stop for this week anyhow is 6'7 Tight End [player_tooltip player_id='630625' first='Colin' last='Rutland'].  Like Echols and Clarke, Rutland is a multi-sport start, excelling at both Football and Baseball for South Lakes. The rising junior is already getting FBS interest, he stopped by to talk about that and his off-season:   [player_tooltip player_id='1680749' first='Carl' last='Frederick']: Update us on your off-season training you gearing up for Baseball yet?   [player_tooltip player_id='630625' first='Colin' last='Rutland']: I'm really working hard on both strength and speed this offseason.  I was able to get the P-Fit (Personal Fitness) class as one of my electives, and Coach Hescock as my teacher.  Having consistent coaching and instruction during class, and after school with the team, has been a huge plus.  For my speed specific training, I have been working with Jarrod Denham at TrueAP.  We focus on technique, and a lot of dynamic exercises to improve acceleration and overall agility. I'm going to the Ryzer Combine in Charlotte, NC on April 1st and I'm hoping to record my fastest 40 ever.  I've also been ramping up for baseball over the winter.  I work with Quinn Pippin at Pitchers Edge in Vienna.  We use video analysis, and a training plan created specifically for me, to help me maximize velocity and prevent injury.  I hit a new max velocity of 88 MPH in January.  I can't wait to see what I can do once the weather warms up and the season is fully underway.   CF: How do you handle being a multi-sport athlete, do you feel any added pressure in either football or baseball?   CR: Freshman and Sophomore year I played three high school sports.  It was always a challenge to fit everything in, but when college recruiting got added to the mix it became too much.  I decided to drop high school basketball so I could have more time for schoolwork and recruiting.  I am a firm believer in the benefits of playing multiple sports. I use the skills I developed as a catcher in baseball for the receiver side of my position in football.  The balance and footwork I learned while playing the low post in basketball translates to blocking in football.  I think it really helps with the mental side of sports too.  I am very lucky that all my coaches are supportive of playing multiple sports.  Giving the in-season coach the priority has been the key to keeping everyone happy.   CF: Give us an update on how your visits have been going, you are gaining a lot of positive momentum.   CR: Over the last couple years whenever my family went on a trip we would stop by nearby colleges. That really helped me figure out what kind of school might be a good fit for me.  I also went to a few camps and stayed in touch with some of the coaches I met.  This year things have really ramped up.  After September 1st the recruiters and position coaches have been much more proactive.  Reaching out to me on social media, talking to my current coaches, and visiting me at school.  I have made some Junior Day visits, and I am scheduling a lot more over the next few months.  It can be stressful but it's also very exciting.    CF: What does South Lakes have to do to take the next step in the playoffs?   CR: I think it's time for the class of 2024 to really step up as leaders and push our team to new next level.  With two seasons of experience in the Concorde we know what it takes to compete and win in this district.  We have the players and the plan, we just need to prepare and execute.      CF: Final question what is a fun fact or something our audience does not know about [player_tooltip player_id='630625' first='Colin' last='Rutland']?   CR: I love fishing.  I always have gear in my truck and I'm on the lookout for new fishing spots.  People think you must go out of town to find big fish, but there are plenty of nice Largemouth Bass in the ponds and lakes around here.  It might be too rainy for football or baseball, but it's never too wet for fishing.